Balloons Over Broadway

November 12, 2018
Storie Belden

Do you watch the annual Thanksgiving parade? Have you ever wondered who came up with the idea of putting gigantic balloons on display? Then you definitely need to check out Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. This picture book biography tells the true story of the puppeteer behind the Macy’s parade, Tony Sarg. I want to share some activities you can use while reading this book.

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet is a picture book biography that tells the true story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer behind the Macy's parade. Here are some comprehension and vocabulary activities along with a balloon-watching kid craft that you can use when reading this story.

About Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway is the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, who was the mastermind behind creating the balloons that star in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

If you don’t have a copy in your classroom or school library, you can find this story on Amazon.

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Balloons Over Broadway Craft and Writing Activities

Tony Sarg created some amazing balloons for the Macy’s parade. I thought it would be fun to allow students to pretend they are at the parade watching the balloons high in the sky. I put together some craft templates to create some balloon-watching kids. Students can select one of the writing ideas I have included or choose their own writing prompt. Here is an example of what your students can create.

After reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, you can let your students feel like they are right there at the parade with this balloon-watching craft. Students can choose from one of the suggested writing prompts or create their own.

I have also included a page where students can design and describe a new balloon for the parade. There are two options for these designs. One has a very large picture space and a few writing lines. This would be great for younger students. The second has the drawing and writing space more evenly split. This provides more room for students who can provide a more detailed description of their drawings.

After reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, you can allow students to create their own balloons for the parade. There are two options included to help fit the needs of your students.

Balloons Over Broadway Comprehension and Vocabulary Activities

Along with the craft and writing activity, this book companion also includes some comprehension and vocabulary activities. There are 8 comprehension questions to help guide your discussion with students. You will also find an option for students to respond to these comprehension questions in written form.

This book companion for Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet has 8 comprehension questions to help guide your discussion with students. I have also included pages where students can respond to these questions in written form.

Since this is a picture book biography about Tony Sarg, I have included two nonfiction graphic organizers. One allows students to share three interesting facts, two questions they still have, and their opinion about parades. The second option is more of a newspaper book review. This allows students to share three interesting facts, two vocabulary words, a drawing, and a book rating.

After reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, students can complete one of these two nonfiction graphic organizers. These allow students to record new facts, questions, vocabulary, and more!

I have also selected 12 vocabulary words from the text and placed these words onto vocabulary cards. As you read the story, you can use the context clues and help students determine the meaning of each word. I have also included a vocabulary match-up page to check for understanding of the new terms.